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While I was at the Lgs a couple summers ago, I was able to intercept a gentleman proposing to sell this as new, possibly unfired safe queen, Marlin 336CS to the store, along with a base model mossberg single shot .22 LR rifle. The store offered him $400 for the pair. I said I would pay $400 for just the Marlin. SOLD!! After transfer fees, Ca. Background and jail time + taxes, I'm into the Marlin for about $500. My 63 yr. Old eyes can't shoot well with buckhorn open sights, so a few months back I ordered a Vortex Ranger ( remake of gen 1 Viper ) 30mm LVPO for it. Great glass on that Vortex, and 1 - 4x is plenty for this rifle and 30-30 cartridge, for the ranges I would take a shot at game or Coyotes. I love the reticle pattern, Circle and Center red dot when power is on.
So, for a little over $800 total into this rig, I'm very happy. Finally got it completed today with weaver bases, Riton Rings, hammer extension, and a $5 surplus M16 silent sling from SARCO. I love those silent slings, and for the quality and durability, they are definitely the best bang for the buck. The sling was not attached when I took these photos.
Next step will be shooting for groups, then sighting-in when I find what this Marlin likes best. I mostly will be using factory ammo, as I layed in a substantial stash before everything went to hell with the pandemic. I also have several boxes of Hornady 150 whitetail ammo showing up this week. My big stash is mostly Remington Core-lokt's and Winchester Power Points. Also have some PPU 150 gr. Coming in from Sportsman's Guide, since they ship free on $50+ orders. I'll get back to you all in a few months with a range report.
P.S. This is a 1997 production JM Marlin. I'm not terribly excited about the crossbolt safety, but it is convenient that this later production model already had factory installed sling studs, and a small rubber butt pad.
I was thinking about doing this same project with a nearly identical 1975 mint production model, but decided that I didn't want to butcher the wood by drilling for a sling stud, thereby changing the out of box condition and value of that Marlin.
I'm not concerned with this 30-30 getting some legitimate exposure to hunting use, but I will try to baby it a little, until it gets it's first significant scratch. After that, I won't be as concerned about it, but I will be conscious not to abuse it, and will clean it properly at the end of fall hunting, apply a protecting oil to the blue finish, and store it in an indoor environment, in a gun safe. I hope someday that it gets passed down a few times for a grandchild to use, as long as it hasn't become too valuable by then.
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So, for a little over $800 total into this rig, I'm very happy. Finally got it completed today with weaver bases, Riton Rings, hammer extension, and a $5 surplus M16 silent sling from SARCO. I love those silent slings, and for the quality and durability, they are definitely the best bang for the buck. The sling was not attached when I took these photos.
Next step will be shooting for groups, then sighting-in when I find what this Marlin likes best. I mostly will be using factory ammo, as I layed in a substantial stash before everything went to hell with the pandemic. I also have several boxes of Hornady 150 whitetail ammo showing up this week. My big stash is mostly Remington Core-lokt's and Winchester Power Points. Also have some PPU 150 gr. Coming in from Sportsman's Guide, since they ship free on $50+ orders. I'll get back to you all in a few months with a range report.
P.S. This is a 1997 production JM Marlin. I'm not terribly excited about the crossbolt safety, but it is convenient that this later production model already had factory installed sling studs, and a small rubber butt pad.
I was thinking about doing this same project with a nearly identical 1975 mint production model, but decided that I didn't want to butcher the wood by drilling for a sling stud, thereby changing the out of box condition and value of that Marlin.
I'm not concerned with this 30-30 getting some legitimate exposure to hunting use, but I will try to baby it a little, until it gets it's first significant scratch. After that, I won't be as concerned about it, but I will be conscious not to abuse it, and will clean it properly at the end of fall hunting, apply a protecting oil to the blue finish, and store it in an indoor environment, in a gun safe. I hope someday that it gets passed down a few times for a grandchild to use, as long as it hasn't become too valuable by then.
